Irish single malt whiskey is a premium style of Irish whiskey made entirely from 100% malted barley and distilled in traditional pot stills at a single distillery. This method mirrors the production of single malt Scotch, but Irish single malts are typically triple-distilled, which results in a smoother, lighter spirit with fewer impurities. The process begins with malting the barley—soaking it, allowing it to germinate, and then drying it to activate enzymes that convert starches into fermentable sugars. After fermentation, the liquid (known as wash) is distilled, often three times, to produce a high-proof spirit that’s then aged for a minimum of three years in oak casks. Many distilleries go well beyond this, offering expressions aged 10, 12, or even 21 years.
